Objectives: 1) to describe the distribution of the body mass index (BMI), physical activity levels and meal times' frequency and; 2) to assess its relationships in a sample of high school Mexican adolescents. Methods: a total of 1028 adolescents (41.1% males and 58.9% females) aged 15-19 years (M= 16.12; SD= 0.9) were included in the final analysis. BMI was calculated using the CDC-2000 as reference. Meal times were evaluated by one factor of the RFAEDP questionnaire (Risk Factors Associated to Eating Disorders in Pubescents). Physical activity was measured trough short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Pearson's correlations were used to determine relationship between the variables. Results: overweight and obesity prevalence together reached, 29.2% for females and 29.3% in males. In meal times' factor, undernourished and low weight subjects achieved the highest values in the answer option always. In total sample, according to the physical activity, 31.9% reported low level. Meal times showed significant association with BMI (r= -0.142, p < 0.01) and physical activity level (r= 0.125, p < 0.01). Discussion: important problems of malnutrition, meal times' frequency and inactivity were identified in the sample. From these findings, the need to design and implement programs with the aim of promoting healthy lifestyles among adolescent arises.

Two anthropometric surveys of children and adolescents have been carried out in Cuba with national samples. A third study done in the province of Ciudad de la Habana provided information on the physical characteristics of the population in that area and a baseline for the periodic evaluation of its nutritional status. This article compares the weight and height results obtained in these surveys for children 0 to 5 years old who lived in this province with the international reference standards proposed by WHO. The results show that, despite the economic difficulties the country has faced, the prevalence of malnutrition is low. In 1993, the prevalence of low height-for-age was 3.1%; that of low weight-for-height, 0.4%; and that of low weight-for-age, 1.5%. Overweight was the most common type of malnutrition, with a prevalence of 5.2%. Between 1972 and 1993, the prevalence of chronic malnutrition fell 32.6%, acute malnutrition was reduced by 69.2%; malnutrition of all types decreased by 44.4%; and overweight fell 48.5%.